woody69
Journeyman Pro
I wouldn't play in medals with no chance of winning, but I would still play just as much social golf and the fun comps such as Texas Scramble, Foursomes etc as long as my PP was decent! 
If they scrap the handicap system would you still play the same amount of golf?
- Thread starter Slab
- Start date
FairwayDodger
Money List Winner
I'd play. I'm much more interested in my scratch score than any handicap win anyway as that's all just a lottery. Of course, I'm the lowest handicap at the club so I would say that....
GB72
Money List Winner
I can honestly say that, without the handicap system, I would probably not play golf much at all. I took up golf as a competitive sport when I had to give up playing rugby and without the handicap system I simply would not be competitive in competitions. If that were the case, and there were no handicap cuts to challenge for as well then I would quickly lose interest. I am self aware enough to know that with the time I have to commit to the game (and with my limited natural ability) I would never be challenging the top half of a scratch competition. I would have the odd friendly knock but my group are of such varied abilities that we would have to invent our own handicap system for bounce games.
I would be happy if golf were split into divisions within the club and each division played competitions to scratch but no handicap system would mean far less golf (a few rounds a year) and would certainly see the end to my club membership.
I would be happy if golf were split into divisions within the club and each division played competitions to scratch but no handicap system would mean far less golf (a few rounds a year) and would certainly see the end to my club membership.
so what some of you are saying is; you wouldn't play unless you could win?
Slab
Occasional Tour Caddy
Maybe more like some wouldn't pay extra in comp fees to have no chance to win, was how I was reading it
Martin70
Head Pro
The amount I play wouldn't change but I wouldn't play so many comps I'd replace some with friendly games.
GB72
Money List Winner
Nope, what I am saying is that I would not have the same.enjoyment if i could not be competitive. I don't win now but I know if i have a good day then i stand a chance. I am not going to enter comps to take a hammering everyweek. On that basis i would limit myself to playing the odd social round
MadAdey
Money List Winner
Golf being the unique sport it is has to have the handicapping system. The only way people of differing abilities can be competitive is through having a handicapping system. Other sports out there do not need handicaps. Take football for instance. IF you like to play but not very good then you go play for a team that is at your level. Someone who is not much more than a Sunday league level player is never going to be playing at a higher level like the United Counties league or moving up into the higher levels of non-league football, it just will not happen.
One of the lads at my old club floated between +2 & +3, I would sometimes see him during the day midweek for a knock round. I do not think I ever got within 2 or 3 shots of him, so what is the point in playing against him in a competition. There were quite a few players on handicaps between 2 to +2 there and in the world of reality they are going to be the ones winning all the time.
SO in answer to your question I would still play, but socially not competitively. Not unless I started to get to a level that I was constantly shooting near level par every round.
One of the lads at my old club floated between +2 & +3, I would sometimes see him during the day midweek for a knock round. I do not think I ever got within 2 or 3 shots of him, so what is the point in playing against him in a competition. There were quite a few players on handicaps between 2 to +2 there and in the world of reality they are going to be the ones winning all the time.
SO in answer to your question I would still play, but socially not competitively. Not unless I started to get to a level that I was constantly shooting near level par every round.
Fyldewhite
Tour Winner
To me the difference between social, nomadic golf and belonging to a club is the competitive element and the handicapping system. If it didn't exist then I would not just have no interest in comps, I probably wouldn't even join a club....... instead would play a wider variety of courses just for fun and the challenge of shooting a good personal score..........then get bored after a year or two and jack in.
Imurg
The Grinder Of Pars (Semi Crocked)
Individually, it would depend on whether you are regularly shooting lowest gross or close to it.
In our midweek comps I'm often lowest gross or thereabouts so it would make sense or me to continue.
Anyone of 10 or more wouldn't get a regular look at the placing let alone wing so it would make sense for them not to enter....
Could be some quite lonely rounds!
To be honest, if there was no handicap system I would play s much as I do but I probably wouldn't play many comps as a lot of the time there would be nobody to play against.
In our midweek comps I'm often lowest gross or thereabouts so it would make sense or me to continue.
Anyone of 10 or more wouldn't get a regular look at the placing let alone wing so it would make sense for them not to enter....
Could be some quite lonely rounds!
To be honest, if there was no handicap system I would play s much as I do but I probably wouldn't play many comps as a lot of the time there would be nobody to play against.
SwingsitlikeHogan
Major Champion
Wouldn't be the same game. One reason I never bothered with squash is I had a good mate very good at squash (county standard) Was a waste of both of our time trying to play each other.
MashieNiblick
Tour Winner
YES.
I play golf because I love playing golf.
I play golf because I love playing golf.
Twin Lakes
Assistant Pro
I'd continue to play as much as I do now but would play less comps. Not because I wouldn't win but cos I am getting seriously miffed with the poor turnout at my current club. I'm off at the end of this year...........From another thread that was on here recently we know that even the good golfers can have a big score on a bad day. I can have a big score on a good day lol...
I'm jealous of you guys that play in fields of 100+.
I'm jealous of you guys that play in fields of 100+.
The point about entering comps and funding the same few winners is valid and I guess would affect my decision over the course of time.
evahakool
Challenge Tour Pro
Competitive golf is what I enjoy most and if this was taken away I would still play as much but only social golf, for me if I didn't have a chance of winning I feel it would be pointless entering comps.
wrighty1874
Journeyman Pro
I 'd still play and still enter comps, as I don't really like handicaps.I just enjoy playing golf.
It would suit me for sure but like others have said it ain't ever going to happen.
chellie
Tour Winner
I currently play off 36 and would still do it as all I'm interested is gross scores.
StrangelyBrown
Tour Winner
I would, but I'd stop playing in competitions. I'm not giving £4 a week to the low guys.
duncan mackie
Money List Winner
this is a really strange premise
handicapping is a simple mechanism to enable golfers of different standards to compete - it's that simple.
if 'it' wasn't there in the form of a system history shows that something fundamentally the same would evolve
the first was the simple allocation of shots in any given match by the course manager (early pro) on a match by match basis based on their knowledge of the players involved (they taught all of them)
even today you probably have more golfers doing the same thing amongst themselves that using club/system handicaps - they play together week in and week out and agree how they will measure performance that day in advance; it's still handicapping!
handicapping is a simple mechanism to enable golfers of different standards to compete - it's that simple.
if 'it' wasn't there in the form of a system history shows that something fundamentally the same would evolve
the first was the simple allocation of shots in any given match by the course manager (early pro) on a match by match basis based on their knowledge of the players involved (they taught all of them
)even today you probably have more golfers doing the same thing amongst themselves that using club/system handicaps - they play together week in and week out and agree how they will measure performance that day in advance; it's still handicapping!
